You asked, we answered

Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to know more about a City program? The Service Vaughan team is standing by ready to respond to your inquiries. The City of Vaughan’s contact centre can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112), email at service@vaughan.ca, online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or in person at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).

Every month, the City releases a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered,’ where common questions received and responded to by Service Vaughan are highlighted. 

Below are the top five inquiries from March: 

1. When are my interim property taxes due and how can I pay them?

The 2024 interim property tax bills for residential and non-residential properties have been mailed out to all property owners. Below are the next two payment due dates for all properties:

• Second instalment – Friday, April 26
• Third instalment – Wednesday, May 29

If you do not receive your tax bill in the mail, contact the City immediately by phone at 905-832-2281 or by email at service@vaughan.ca. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying property taxes – late payment penalties will be added.

As all City facilities are cashless, here’s how you can pay interim property tax bills:

• Pre-authorized payment plans, including a six-instalment and a 10-instalment option.
• Post-dated cheques made payable to the City of Vaughan that correspond with the amount and due dates printed on the tax stubs.
• Financial institutions, either in person, through the bank machine, online or via telephone.
• At City Hall, placed in marked drop-off boxes at each entrance.
• By mail, with a cheque payable to the City of Vaughan and send in the return envelope enclosed with the tax bill.

To learn more about each payment option, visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.

2. When does registration for spring programs and summer camps open, and how can I register my kids?

Online registration for the City’s spring recreation and aquatic programs is available through vaughan.perfectmind.com until 7 a.m. on the day of the first class, after which in-person registration may be requested for select programs by visiting any City of Vaughan community centre. You can view a full list of programs in the Spring Recreation eGuide. For information about spring swim lessons and aquatic leadership programs, visit vaughan.ca/swim.

Registration for summer camps is open and spots are filling quickly! Programming is geared to children four to 16 years of age and begins on Tuesday, July 2, with one- and two- week sessions running until Friday, Aug. 30. Camps are located at Vaughan community centres, heritage homes, parks, the City Playhouse Theatre and Vaughan Studios & Event Space. With more than 80 camps to choose from, including 10 brand-new ones, the City offers a wide array of options to suit everyone with specialties in creative, culinary and performing arts, enrichment, leadership, recreation, sports, outdoor adventures and water adventures. 

For more information on summer camps, view the digital brochure at vaughan.ca/camps. 

3. What is the Seniors, Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Disabled Persons Property Tax Deferral program and how can I apply? 

The Seniors, Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Disabled Persons Property Tax Deferral program (PDF) provides financial assistance in the form of a tax deferral to eligible residents. To qualify, the property owner must be at least one of the following:

• a senior resident of Vaughan who is at least 65 years of age
• a low-income senior between the ages of 55 and 65
• a low-income individual with a disability

The property for which the taxes are payable must be in Vaughan and owned by an eligible older adult or person with a disability as a principal residence on Jan. 1 of the eligible year. View the application form (PDF) for additional eligibility requirements and proper documentation needed before applying. The deadline to apply for this program is Monday, Sept. 30.

For further information on this program, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. 

4. Is on-street parking allowed in Vaughan?

On-street parking is allowed on any street in Vaughan for up to three hours without a permit between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. – unless otherwise signed or prohibited by the Parking By-law (PDF). On-street parking is not allowed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., unless the vehicle has a valid permit for that date, time and location.

Even though it’s now spring, we may still receive more wintry weather. When it snows, keep parked cars off the street while snowplows are out to help the City clear streets properly and safely. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a $85 fine or towed at the owner’s expense. 

Parking permit applications are available online at any time. Permits are electronic and do not need to be printed or displayed. Permits are non-transferable between licence plate numbers. Unused permit dates cannot be cancelled and reissued later if the dates have passed.

For more information about parking in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking. 

5. How do I book or cancel my parking ticket dispute appointment?

You can dispute a parking ticket online or by phone. Here’s how:

• Dispute your ticket online: Complete the Administrative Monetary Penalty Screening form within 15 days of receiving your ticket. You will need the Penalty Notice Number to complete the form. Upload the completed form and any supporting documents or photos. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, you will need a letter of authorization to dispute a ticket on the owner’s behalf. The screening officer will review your online submission and respond accordingly.

• Dispute your ticket by phone: Request a screening appointment within 15 days of receiving your ticket by emailing parking.permit@vaughan.ca or calling Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. You will be able to dispute your ticket and a screening officer will respond accordingly. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, indicate so and provide a letter of authorization to dispute a ticket on the owner’s behalf. 

If you do not contact the City – by phone, email or by submitting a dispute form online within 15 days of receiving your ticket – the ticket will become due and payable. For more information about parking in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking. 

If you have questions about a City matter, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. 

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